MATCH REPORT: Birmingham City 1-1 Coventry City - Chris Stokes returns from injury for the Under-23s

3 January 2017

Billie Marshall

Nicky Eaden fields a strong side including many first team players against the Blues...

Chris Stokes returned from injury to play the full 90 minutes as Nicky Eaden’s Under-23 side started the year with draw after being held in a friendly against Birmingham City.

The Sky Blues fielded several first-team players, with the likes of Ruben Lameiras, Vladimir Gadzhev and Jodi Jones lining up against the Blues.

Birmingham took the lead after ten minutes, as their number ten was released in behind before being fouled, bringing a free kick in a promising position. The Blues’ number two stepped up and curled it into the corner to give his side an early lead.

City’s first sight at goal came from Jodi Jones. Devon Kelly-Evans did superbly to advance with the ball, beating two men before laying it to the forward. Jones took one touch, but his effort was straight at the ‘keeper.

The away side were having their best spell in the game and went close through Gadzhev. The midfielder played a one-two with Lameiras before hitting his long-range effort just over.

City had their best chance of the game shortly after, as Kelly-Evans picked up on a loose ball, turned inside his man, but curled an effort over the bar from just inside the box.

The Blues started the second half the better, as their number ten went close to doubling the advantage. He received the ball and shown quick feet to create space, before curling an effort towards the top corner, but Addai did well to tip it over.

Coventry were level with twenty minutes to play after a mistake in the Birmingham defence. A miss-hit back pass fell to substitute Jordan Ponticelli who made no mistake, finishing well into the corner.